Calling All Disneyland Ephemera Nutz!

Calling out to all my Disneyland brochure/guidebook/ephemera nutz! I have a batch of undated slides (most likely 1960s) that include this shot of the Flower Market on West Center Street. Can anyone give a year based on the book/brochure next to the register visible in this detailed view? I know, the lady in the pink fluffy hat is pulling your focus. Try…try hard to look away.



UPDATE! Thanks to Daveland readers Tom & Eric over on X, the mystery has been solved. The publication is Disneyland World of Flowers, released in 1965.





Here are two previously unposted shots that the guest had the kindness to get date stamped! From August 1966 (might even be the same cast member):



…and September 1963, which includes a Keystone Kop:



See more Disneyland Main Street Market photos at my main website.

Lou & Sue and Papel

One of the many pleasures from doing this blog is the connections that I have made over the years. Although I have yet to meet her, frequent reader/commenter Sue is a total joy. After reading last week’s post about Ruggles on Main Street, Sue shared a few pictures of a cherished souvenir in her possession.

Seeing these Flower Market pictures brings back wonderful memories! My parents and I loved shopping at the Park and at the Disneyland Hotel, in the 60s and 70s, as they carried unique items we didn’t see in the Chicagoland area, where we lived at the time. My mom purchased a number of those items (napkin holders, etc.) that you see on display in the Flower Market, for Christmas presents and birthday gifts. I do miss those days when Disneyland carried lots of fun items, with each shop carrying things you didn’t see in all the other Disneyland stores, unlike today where it’s quite predictable that you’ll find a lot of the same pins, mugs, key chains, T-shirts, and stuffed animals in most every store.  Thanks, Dave, for this trip down Memory Lane!



Thank YOU Sue for sharing these very cool photos! I found this blurb on giftshopmag.com about Phil:

Established in 1955 by founder and industry icon, Phil Papel, the company’s roots were on Main Street, Disneyland (Anaheim, California) as a retail shop known as Ruggles China & Gifts. The company quickly grew to a successful retail chain of more than 20 stores in Southern California, and established a wholesale division called Phil Papel Imports. This wholesale division was sold to Russ Berrie in 1987, and in 2000 to Cast Art Industries.

The vintage images below are from my collection and show not only the artificial flowers you could buy at the Disneyland Flower Market on Main Street, but the other decorative items available that would have made a nifty gift for anyone’s home. Circa 1960s-70s, of course! From 1969:



This closeup view shows the yummy vinyl grapes (hard on the tummy, though) and a variety of  miniature glass potted “plants,” similar to what Sue shared.



From 1974: 



Anyone need a macrame owl wall hanging?



These gigantic ladybugs are sure to spruce up your yard; or are they fly swatters? I can’t tell.



From March 1975:



The first thing that caught my eye was the vintage Japan Air Lines bag.



Fairly easy to find on ebay!



I remember this vintage Disneyland shopping bag!



Back to the topic at hand…more of the miniature flower pots!



July 1977:



There’s a surplus in this shot! And are those glass mushrooms on the shelf?



The owl is still for sale. I wonder if he ever found a home?



I do like these wrought iron candle holders. Hopefully they’ll still be around at the end of the day. I guess that’s what the lockers on Main Street were for!



By April 1979, the Flower Market moved from West Center Street to East Center Street:



The flower pots made the transition!



Want a Phil Papel piece of your very own? There are plenty on ebay!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to Sue for inspiring this follow-up post!
  
See more Disneyland Flower Market photos at my main website.

"Art" at Disneyland

"Art" lovers needed to look no further than Main Street, U.S.A. to find unique pieces to decorate their abodes. In the early years, original Disney cels could be purchased near the Plaza Inn, as you can see in this unfortunate beginning of the roll wacky exposure. The gent in the Stetson seems to be admiring little Alice.



Those not wanting to go quite as "high brow" as a Disney animated cel could create their own art, thanks to these colorful cutouts that were in the same area:



By the time this September 1960 color-shifted photo was taken, the art had moved to East Center Street.



Granted, the detail when zooming in is not that great, but these interpretations on canvas of the Castle and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship appear somewhat amateurish.



If you're wondering how I could tell the previous shot was from East Center Street, just compare the buildings at the top of the photo with this shot of the Art Festival:



It would truly make my day to discover that this wacky pirate painting still exists:



"Live" artists were also on hand to do portraits for guests, as seen in this September 1964 photo:



If "art" wasn't your thing, you could always walk across the way to West Center Street and pick up some plastic flowers.



Nothing but "class" on Main Street!

See more vintage & current Disneyland East Center Street photos on my main website.

Move It And Lose It

Before viewers had the ability to TIVO their programs, do you remember how changing the night of a TV show was typically the kiss of death? Whether a show was good or not, somehow changing its time slot or especially its night of the week usually resulted in a drop in the ratings, which then led to cancellation. We are creatures of habit. We don't like change. Today's post shows how at Disneyland, the same theory applies. Notice our first image from 1975, showing the Flower Market located on West Center Street. Guests could purchase plastic bouquets or arrangements of fruits and vegetables to proudly display in their home.

Taken just a few months later, this August 1975 photo also shows the Flower Market. See any differences?



Of course you do—nobody is going to pull the wool over your eyes! The Flower Market moved across the way to East Center Street, allowing the Carnation Cafe to expand its dining location to include outdoor seating. Here's another shot of the Flower Market on East Center Street, circa July 1977.



This gent, slurping down a tasty sundae in April 1977, seemed very happy with the change. No complaints about being able to enjoy his ice cream outdoors!



It wasn't much later that the Flower Mart went bye-bye completely.

Next up is arguably the most famous case of "Move It And Lose It": The Disneyland Bandstand. Originally located in Town Square, shortly before the park was opened, it was realized that this large structure would block the view of the Castle and disrupt the cinematic “long shot” desired looking down Main Street.



Its next residence was near the castle, where it resided until Walt decided that the Disneyland Band needed a more permanent stage.



John Hench sketched up a few ideas for the Carnation Plaza Gardens and the bandstand was moved (again), approximately July 1956; this time to Adventureland, in an area known as Magnolia Park, located between the Jungle Cruise and the Chicken Plantation Restaurant.





When the Jungle Cruise expanded in 1962, the addition of the Elephant Bathing Pool meant that the Bandstand had reached the end of the line at Disneyland. According to the book The Nickel Tour, the Bandstand was donated to the City of Anaheim, who kept it for a few years before donating it to nearby Rogers Gardens.

This quiet little spot between The Haunted Mansion and the French Market is referred to as "Magnolia Park." It looks totally different, but why waste a good name? Are there even any Magnolia trees in the vicinity?



Another victim to change was The Indian Village, which was originally located on the cusp of Adventureland and Frontierland, in the area that became Magnolia Park.



In 1956, it was moved to the back of the park at the furthest border of Frontierland.



In 1971, The Indian Village disappeared for good and became Bear Country.



The Disney Gallery was created in 1987 in New Orleans Square, making use of the space that Walt Disney had originally mapped out as a VIP guest suite for his family and friends. The Disney Gallery was a combination museum/gift shop, displaying art, props, and other things from the Disney archives.



This caretaker from the cemetery was here temporarily during one of the Haunted Mansion refurbs.



A few props from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies:





A view of the lovely courtyard of The Disney Gallery:



In 2007, Disney announced that the Gallery would be restored to Walt's original vision, and used as a “Dream Suite” for lucky guests to spend an unforgettable night during the Year of a Million Dreams promotion. This version of The Disney Gallery closed on August 7, 2007, reopening in Town Square in the former Bank of America location in 2009.





With The Market House being converted to a Starbucks, rumors have begun to buzz that at least part of the space that is now Disneyana will be given to The Market House. Disneyana began its life in 1976 in the former Upjohn Pharmacy location. It moved in 1986 to its present location on East Main Street:





Will Disneyana bite the dust? I wouldn't be surprised. I also wouldn't care. With the Disney Gallery and Disneyana in such close proximity to each other, the two locations seem redundant. The Disney Gallery sells much of the same high end/collectible merchandise that Disneyana sells, so the need for two retail spaces that are so close in concept seems like a waste of space. Only time will tell!

Any other changing attractions/shops that I missed?

See more vintage and current Disneyland photos on my Disneyland photo web pages.